Red-necked Grebe at Boonton Reservoir
Red-necked Grebe, Boonton Reservoir, Dec. 14, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
The Red-necked Grebe in the above photo is modeling the typical, distant, “Boonton” look. The view is from the north bridge looking east.
The past two rain storms have filled Boonton Reservoir to capacity for the first time since the spring. The exposed shoreline that rimmed the reservoir from summer through autumn is submerged. Other than the grebe, the only other inhabitants were Canada Geese, Common Mergansers, Ring-billed Gulls, a Pied-billed Grebe and an adult Bald Eagle perched on the island.
Split Rock Reservoir
Bald Eagle at Split Rock Reservoir, NJ, Dec. 14, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
The above photo shows one of two young Bald Eagles cruising over a group of the 1,530 Common Mergansers at Split Rock Reservoir this morning. The 100+ Ring-billed/Herring Gull mix which was loafing on the water, took flight as soon as the eagles arrived. The eagles seemed to be practicing dive-bombing the Mergansers. This caused the Mergansers to shift their location by a few hundred meters at one point – an impressive sight with 1,500 Common Mergansers involved. 113 Ruddy Ducks and a few Buffleheads were also on the water.
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The eBird Hotspot Primer is found here.
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